The fiery former Inter, Milan and Chelsea defender was hired as technical director, but lasted only a month before handing in his resignation this week.

“There was no respect for people’s roles and this should never happen in a football club,” Panucci told Sky Sport Italia.

“The President trusts other people, while the technical director ought to be kept informed on everything. I didn’t want to be anyone’s doormat, nor sit there taking a wage for doing nothing.

“I did not want players to be signed without anyone telling me. I left for my personal dignity. I was supposed to become director of sport in September with a place on the Board in charge of transfer strategy. I tried to do what the President wanted.

“I wanted to understand what we were doing in the future, but Zamparini listens to everyone without talking to his consultants.

“I thank him for the opportunity and was starting to re-organise the club, but we were signing a player without me knowing who he was...

“Zamparini only goes to South America for players. Our chief scout flew out there without knowing who we were looking for. Are there not good players in Italy and Europe too?”

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